X-ray machine



0. H. PIEPER X-RAY MACHINE Filed Oct. 15, 1931 Dec. 17, 1935.

sheets-sheet 4 five??? 05001 17 fl'ep er:

Patented Dec. 17, 1935 PATENT OFFICE X-RAY MACHINE Oscar H; Pleper,Rochester; N. Y.

Application ctober 15, 1931, Serial-No. 568,905

11 Claims. (01. 25034) My invention relates to X-ray machines andparticularly to the mounting of the X-ray tube and to the immediatelyassociated parts.

According to my invention 1- isolate the X ray tube, in a metalliccontainer, at a distance from the transformer, and the primary object ofmy invention isto provide an improved 'construction and arrangementwherein the X-ray tube is so mounted. Furthermore, in accord ance withmy invention, I mountthe filament control rheostat directly at thecathode end-of i the X-ray tube, and it is a further object of myinvention to provide improved means for so mounting the rheostat andan-improved construction for the rheostat itself? The metallic containerto which l have-re ferredis grounded and the problems of 'high voltageisolation are met so that appropriate safety in handling is assured;-and the'mechanical con struction and arrangement aresuch that easymanipulation of the tube is possible.

My invention is illustrated in the accompany ing drawings in whichFigure 1 is, a plan view of the structure;

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view thereof, taken on theplane of the-line 22 of;{ Figure 1 and looking in the directionindicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is, in the main, aside elevational view, part however beingshown'in section-taken. on the plane of the line 3 -3 of Figure 2;looking in the direction indicated by-the arrows;

Figure 4 is a partial vertical cross sectional view, taken on the planeof 'the line 44 of Fig-"- ure 2 and looking inthe direction indicatedbythe arrows, with the X-ray tube removed;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view taken on the plane: on which Figure2 istaken, this figure showing the collector and wiper arrangement whichwill be referred to, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a view similar to'Figure'2 showing a modification;

Figure '7 is a sectional-view taken' on the plane on which Figure 2 istaken, this view showing the rheostat on larger scale and in greaterdetail;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the plane of the line 8-8 ofFigure 7 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken onithei plane of the line 99 ofFigure '7 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. i

I shall first refer to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive; A metal tube 0,-whichis grounded, is mounted in a split ring ll, part of a bracket l2 which,

in turn, is supported in any suitableway. The

membersv of the-split ring are held together by appropriate screws l3.The tube In may occupy any position, vertically, in the split ring II,as convenience maydictate. At its bottom, the tube Ill-carries thethreaded metallic collar M which 5 is adapted to receive the: internallythreaded union" I5. A tube I 6 of insulating material fits inside themetallic tube Ill and is coextensive therewith at the top. At thebottom, the insulating tuberl6 extends beyond the metallic tube 10 Wasshown. A metallic sleeve I1 is slipped over the protruding'end oi theinsulating tube Hi, this sle'eveihavlngia iflange' l8 engaging withinthe union l5 against its internal shoulder. Theunionl5' engages'the bead19 on the sleeve [4 '15 so that it will not clamp the flange l8 tightly,

leaving it sufficiently free for the sleeve i! to turn on the insulatingtube l6.

Theireeend of thesleeve' I1 is threaded for the reception of the rimioon the central part of the 20 container or housing for the X-ray tube.The nature of this central part of the container or housing for theX-ray tube will be best understood by referring first to Figure 4. Thiscentral part, designated generally by the reference character 2 I, isin'the former a metallic skeleton embodying rings 22,22, on oppositesides, and a seat or saddle 23, against which the X-ray tube may rest,with its ends-extending through the rings. The X-ray tube is shown atand, in the specific instance shown, is the type of tubewherein thecentral portion is a' chrome iron ring welded into the inner endsof-the" tube glass tubular portionsZS. This chrome iron ring issurrounded by a layer of lead, surrounded in' turn by a brass supportingring 26, and this brass supporting a ring rests directly'in' the seator-saddle 23, being mounted there for rotation. The form ofthecentralpart 2| is such as to-leave the central opening or slot 21, throughwhich the focusing device extends as 40 willbe pointed'out presently,the tube being held uponthe' seat or saddle 23 by means of the angularside plates 28, 28which close the central part 2| and define the openingor-slot '21. These side plates hold the X-ray'tube in place, springs 29,29

swung, from the position shown in Figure 3, approximately 30 abovehorizontal and down to a vertical position. The general form of thecentral part 2|, below the rim it, and the manner of supporting theX-ray tube therein, is shown and described in my co-pending applicationSerial No. 502,366 filed December 15, 1930, now Patent No. 1,949,760,issued March 6, 193a.

Metallic housing portions 32, 32 are mounted on the rings 22, extendingoutwardly therefrom and completing the container for the tube, as shownin Figures 1 and 2. Tubes 33, 33 of insulating material surround therespective ends of the X-ray tube beyond the seat or saddle within themetallic housing or container. These tubes 33, may be of any suitableinsulating material possessing adequate strength and rigidity andmay bemade either of single tubing or of a plurality of tubes one slippedwithin the other. They are supported in the rings 22, at the bottom, bymeans or" screws 3 3, 33 passing through the bottom of the rings andthreading into ferrules 35 fixed in the tubes, as shown in Figure 2.

The anode end of the X-ray tube is provided with radiator fins it whichare housed by having cup 3? and the hemispherical cap 33. This cappresents a spherical inner surface which is wiped by a contact member 39carried on the end of a copper tube which will be referred to furtherpresently, access to the interior of the tube 33 being gained by way ofthe opening This contact member 39 preserves its contact with the cap 38as the X-ray tube is rotated about its own axis in the movement of thefocusing device 3!, the cap being in direct connection with the anodeterminal as shown.

The arrangement the cathode end of the tube will be described later.Suffice it to say for the present that two conductors lead thereto, onea copper tube 4!, similar to the copper tube is, the other an insulatedwire 22 within it, access to the interior of the tube 53 being gainedthrough the opening 332).

The central part 2! of the housing an internal shoulder '33 within it atthe bottom of the rim 2E1 as shown in Figures 2 and a. On this shoulder,within the rim 2B, is an insulating block 44 held in fixed position bythe set screw 435. A tube 4% of insulating material is disposedconcentrically within tube iii, lying between the insulating block itand the grounded metallic cover 4'! at the upper end which closes thetop of the metallic tube Id, this cover t? being provided with anannular groove 18 to receive the upper end or" the insulating tube it.The cover t?! is provided with ventilating openings did and, internallyof the tube it, with a downwardly extending lip 29. A screw 5d extendsthrough the metallic tube it) and the insulating tube Iii into this lip,holding these three elements in rigid relation. A tube 55 of insulatingmaterial surrounds the copper tube id, from the point where it entersthe tube 33, passing toward the center or" the structure and thenupwardly through the insulating block it. The opening in the insulatingblock i i through which the tubing 5! passes is at the side of the blockand it is of such size that the tubing 5i fits tightly within it, thenpassing upwardly into the space between the insulating tube it and theinsulating tube 56. On the opposite side of the insulating block M aninsulating post 52 rises into the space between the insulating tube itand the insulating tube A3, and an annular metallic crown 53, ofinverted U-shaped cross section, is mounted on the top of the tubing 55and the post 52 in the annular space between the insulating tube i6 andthe insulating tube 56. This crown is a collector and the upper end ofthe copper tube iil is connected electrically with the crown on thetubing 5i,interior1y, by means of 5 the small conductor 5%.

A liner 55 of insulating material is tightly fitted into the insulatingtube 56 in the Zone of the collector and a sleeve 52 is tightly fittedon the insulating tube in horizontal register there- 10 with. I

The cover t? is provided with an opening 57 in register with the spacebetween the insulating tube l5 and the insulating tube it. A boss member58, surrounding this opening, is secured 15 on the top of the cover 4?by means of screws es, 5s. A tube 6i) of insulating material has itsupper end threaded into the boss member 58 and it extends downwardlythrough the opening 5? into the space between the insulating tube it and20 the insulating tube 36. A plug ti is screwed in the bottom of thetube 6!), this plug having a flange 82 resting on the shoulders formedby the tops of the linerfiii and sleeve 56, this plug extending downinto the space between the liner 25 and the sleeve. The plug 6i isprovided with a central bore 63 in which a plunger 8% is slidablydisposed, this plunger being pressed downwardly by means of a helicalspring ts located in the bore between the plunger and the metallic screw30 plug cs. This is best shown in Figure 5. The plunger carries thedownwardly extending stein which terminates in the spherical head 58,this head engaging in an annular groove or depression 59 in the top ofthe collector The 85 element S t, 6?, iit is of metal and constitutes awiper for constant engagement with the collector 53. The spring 65 isor" course of metal and through it electrical connection from thecollector 53 to the plug 56 is effected.

A metal armored cable ii], the outer metal sheath of which is grounded,leads from within the tube ed outwardly through the boss member at, forconnection to the transformer. The insulated conductor 'ii within thiscable i9 is connected with the metallic plug 66 as shown in Figure 2.Thus the anode end of the X-ray tube is connected with the distanttransformer by way of the cap 353, wiper 3%), copper tube conductor t l,collector 53, wiper M, iii, 88, spring 65, plug 6 5, and protectedconductor H, The boss member 58 may be extended to any length desiredand any suitable clamping means may be provided between this boss memberand the cab'e A boss member l2, similar to the boss member E38, issecured onthe top of the cover ii, by means of screws 73, it, inregister with a central opening 74 in the cover, which opening, in turn,is in register with the insulating tube it. A tube is of insulatingmaterial has its upper end screwed into the boss member l2 and its lowerend has threaded thereto a plug it of insulating material which fits inthe tube This plug carries two wipers iii and i8, each constructedprecisely as the wiper arrangement in the plug 6!. A metal armored cable"i3, containing two insulated conductors, extends from within the tube'55 out through the boss member ?2 to the distant transformer. Thiscable, like the cable it, has its outer metal sheath grounded and itstwo conductors are respectively connected with the metallic screw plugslid and 78a of the wipers ii and 78 respectively. The boss member "i2may be extended as desired and provided with suitable means for clampingthe cable, as in the case of 75 the other boss member and cable whichhas been described. The wipers TI and 18 form part of the filamentcircuit, and that will now be described.

A copper tube 4| is encased in insulating tubing 80, this tubingextending upwardly through a central opening in the insulating block 44.It is tightly held in that opening, then passing upwardly into theinsulating tube 46. At its top it is provided with a metallic thimble89' which has an annular depression or groove 8| in its top. Thespherical head of the wiper l8 rides in this depression or groove, inconstant engagement with the thimble. A central contact mem ber 82 ismounted in the thimble, but insulated therefrom by means of the bushing83 and the disc 84. This is best shown in Figure 5. The copper tube 4|extends out of the top of the insulating tubing 89 and is connected withthe central contact member 82 by means of the short conductor 85. Theinsulated conductor 42, which lies within the copper tube 4|, extendslaterally through slots 86 and B? in the ends of the tube 4| and tubing89 respectively and is electrically connected with the thimble 89 at 89.

It will now be clear that the wiper lies axially in the metallic tubel9. It will also be clear that the X-ray tube housing is rotatable,within reasonable limits, about this axis, this rotation taking placebetween the X-ray tube housing and the relatively fixed tube H Thecentral part 2| of the X-ray tube housing is carried from the sleevewhich, as has been described, is capable of rotation in the union i5about the insulating tube I6. Since the insulating block 49 is one ofthe elements in fixed relation to the central part 2| of the housing, itrotates with the housing and, with it, the rising insulating tubings 5|and 89 and the parts carried thereby. This means that the collectors 53and rotate with the X-ray tube housing while wipers in the plugs 9| and16 remain stationary with the tube I0. As this relative rotation takesplace, the wiper 64, 61, 68 engages the collector 53 at all times, thewiper 18 engages the thimble 80 at all times, and the wiper 11 engagesthe central contact member 82 at all times, these wipers being springpressed, as has been described, to insure appropriate engagement.

I shall now refer to the modification illustrated in Figure 6. In thismodification the rotation of the X-ray tube housing, relative to themetallic tube i9 is accommodated in another way than that hereinbeforedescribed. In this modification the central part 2 la is analagous tothe cenral part 2| of the structure shown in the preceding figures. Thehousing portions 32a, 32a are the same as the housing portions 32, 32,and the X-ray tube arrangement within the housings of the two structuresare identical, so description of these parts in Figure 6 will not benecessary.

The central part 2| it differs from the part 22 in that it is not formedat the top for an insulating block such as the insulating block 44 ofFigure 2.

The metallic tube |9a of Figure 6 corresponds to the metallic tube IQ ofFigure 2. The insulating tube |6a corresponds to the insulating tube i9except that, as shown in the Figure 6, it extends downwardly a greaterdistance, as indicated at Nib. The collar l4a, the union I So and thesleeve Ila are substantially the same as the parts |4, I5 and H, but itmay be noted here that a packing ring |5b may be provided between theflange on the sleeve Ila and the collar |4a if desired. The bracket |2acorresponds to the bracket I2.

At the top of the metallic tube Illa, the cover 411) is provided, thiscover having one or more ventilating openings 410. This cover 41b isprovided with openings 51a and Me at opposite sides thereof, theseopenings being of such size as just to accommodate the cables 89 and 99,respectively. The cable 89 is flexible and leads from the wiper 39a ofthe anode terminal of the X-ray tube first into the centralportion 2!aof the housing, then upwardly into and through the insulating tube |6aand out through the opening 51a, from whence it is led to the distanttransformer as in the case of the previously described form of myinvention. This cable contains a single conductor 40a. The cable 90 isflexible and leads from the cathode end of the X-ray tube, first intothe central part 2 la of the housing and then upwardly into and throughthe in sulating tube Ilia and out through the opening 14a to the distanttransformer. This cable contains the two conductors Ma and 42a.

The housing 2 la, 32a has rotary motion relative to the tube Ilia, as inthe case of the housing and tube of the structure previously described.In this instance, however, instead of using collectors and wipers, themovement is accommodated, so far as electrical'connections areconcerned, by the flexibility of the cables 89 and 99 between the cover4% and the respective ends of the X-ray tube, these points at which thecables are anchored being sufiiciently far apart to permit the cables toaccommodate themselves to the relative motion between their ends and theplaces where they pass through the cover.

The openings 51a and 14a in the cover ll?) are surrounded by bossmembers 58a and 12a, respectively, and beyond these members thecables 89and 90 are protected by a grounded metal armor as indicated at 89a and90a. This form of my invention makes for simplicity of construction andis particularly apt when the tubes lilo: and |6a are made rather long.

I shall now describe the arrangement at the cathode end of the X-raytube, by reference to Figures '7, 8 and 9. The cathode end of the tubeis formed with a depression 9| and is provided with a metallic cap 92which follows the form of the end of the tube, as illustrated in Figure'7. In the depression in the cap, a metal annulus 93 is provided, thisannulus being clamped in place by means of an insulated central post 94which has a flange 95 and a screw threaded stem 96 at the other end forthe reception of a nut 91. The post 94 is insulated from the annulus 93and the cap 92 by means of the insulating sleeve 98 and the insulatingdisc 99. A washer I99 is interposed between the disc 99 and the nut 9?.The sleeve 98 has a flange IOI which engages the face of the annulus 93and it will be seen how the flange 95 and the flange |0| cooperate toassemble the arrangement which has just been described in properrelation when the nut 91 is drawn up. The cap 92 is connected with oneend of the X-ray tube filament by means of the conductor IE2 and thepost 94 is connected with the other end of the filament by means of theconductor I93 which is clamped against the nut 91 by means of the nutI04. It will be remembered that this X-ray tube is rotatable on its ownaxis and the central pcsition of the post 94 is important in thisconnection as will appear presently.

A block of insulating material I05 is mounted within the insulating tube33 just beyond the cathode end of the X-ray tube. The upper half of thisblock is of cylindrical form to fit the interior of the tube 33 and itis held in the tube by means of the screws I06, I06. An arch I01 ofinsulating material is secured to the lower side of the block I05 bymeans of screws I08, I28. A resistance wire I 09 is wound on this arch,one end thereof taking under the head of the screw III) which alsoreceives and clamps the end of the conductor 41?) which leads from thecopper tube 4| through an opening ile in the block H35. The other end ofthe resistance wire I99 is clamped by the dead screw III.

Centrally disposed in the insulating block I05 is the metal tube H2which is firmly lodged in the block. This tube has the internal shoulderH3 against which a plug H4 rests. This tube also contains the plunger H5which has the stem H6 extending outwardly of the tube H2 toward theX-ray tube. This stem H6 carries the spherical head III which rests in adepression H9 in the post 94. A helical spring I20 lies between the plugI I4 and the plunger H5 so as to urge the head H'I against the post 94for the purpose of constant electrical contact. A stem I2I is fixed inthe plug H4, passes through the helical spring I20 and into a bore inthe plunger I I5, this stem contributing to the maintenance oi theproper alignment of the stem H6 and the head III. A sleeve I22 surroundsand is rotatable on the tube H2. A wiper I23 is carried on the sleeveI22, and a nut I24, on the end of the tube H2, holds the sleeve andwiper in any adjusted position, a washer I25 intervening. This wiperengages the coiled resistance wire, as shown in Figure 9, and may bemoved to any position over the coil of wire so as to include more orless of the resistance Wire in the circuit. The tube I I2 also carriesthe cap I26 which is secured to the end thereof by means of the screwI2'I. This cap is a protection against discharge between the adjacentX-ray tube terminal and the metallic housing 32 or 3211.. It is providedwith a semi-cylindrical appendage I28 which forms a shield about theresistance coil.

The insulating block I05 also has firmly lodged therein the metallictube I29 the interior arrangement of which is substantially the same asthat of the tube H2. The wiper I33 engages an annular groove I3! in theface of the annulus 93, this groove I3I being concentric with the axisof the tube. The spring within the tube I29 maintains the spherical headof the wiper ISiI always in appropriate contact in the groove I3I. Theend of the conductor 42 is connected with the end of the tube I26 bymeans of a screw I32, this conductor 42 passing through the opening Me.

By the arrangement described, the conductors 4| and 42 are in constantconnection with the filament of the X-ray tube and the rheostat windingI09 and wiper I23 are included in this circuit.

I claim:

1. In X-ray apparatus, a metallic tubular member, a metallic housingcarried by and 2. In X-ray apparatus, a metallic tubular member, ametallic housing carried by and swiveling on said tubular member, ametallic cover on the end of said tubular member, an X-ray tube mountedin said housing, and flexible conductors leading from the terminals ofsaid X-ray tube to and through said tubular member and openings in saidcover.

3. In X-ray apparatus, a metallic tubular member, a metallic housingcarried by and swiveling on said tubular member, a metallic cover on theend of said tubular member, an X-ray tube mounted in said housing, andflexible conductors leading from the terminals of said X- ray tube toand through said tubular member and openings in said cover, saidconductor beyond said cover being sheathed in a metallic armor.

4. In X-ray apparatus, a tubular supporting member, a housing carried byand swiveling on said supporting member, an X-ray tube mounted in saidhousing, conductors leading from the terminals of said X-ray tube intoone end of said supporting member, conductors leading from the other endof said supporting member, and collectors and wipers in said supportingmember connecting said first-named with said lastnamed conductors.

5. In Xray apparatus, a metallic tubular supporting member, a metallichousing carried by and swiveling on said supporting member, an X-raytube mounted in said housing, conductors leading from the terminals ofsaid X-ray tube into one end of said supporting member, conductorsleading from the other end of said supporting member, and collectors andwipers in said supporting member connecting said firstnamed with saidlast-named conductors, said last-named conductors beyond said supportingmember being sheathed in metallic armors.

6. In an X-ray apparatus, a tube, a housing carried by and swivelingrelative to said tube, an X-ray tube mounted in said housing, aninsulating block at the bottom of said tube fixed relative to saidhousing, cables leading from the terminals of said X-ray tube upwardlythrough said block into said tube, a collector at the upper end of eachsaid cable, corresponding cables leading down into said tube, and wiperswith which said last-named cables are connected engaging saidcollectors.

7. In an X-ray apparatus, a tube, a housing carried by and swivelingrelative to said tube, an X-ray tube mounted in said housing, aninsulating block at the bottom of said tube fixed relative to saidhousing, a second tube co-axially arranged in said first-named tube, acable leading from one end of said X-ray tube through said blockintosaid second tube, a cable leading from the other end of said X-ray tubethrough said block into the space between said firstnamed tube and saidsecond tube, a collector at the end of each cable, and correspondingcables leading respectively down into said sec ond tube and down intothe space between said first-named tube and said second tube, and wipersat the ends of said last-named cables engaging said collectors.

8. In an X-ray apparatus, a tube, a housing carried by and swivelingrelative to said tube, an X-ray tube mounted in said housing, aninsulating block at the bottom of said tube fixed relative to saidhousing, a second tube co-axially arranged in said first-named tube, adouble conductor cable leading from the cathode end of said X-ray tubethrough said block into said second tube, a single conductor cableleading from the other end of said X-ray tube through said block intothe space between said first-named tube and said second tube, a contactcrown on the end of said first-named cable, an insulated central contactmember carried by said crown, said crown and said contact member beingelectrically connected respectively with the conductors of saidfirst-named cable, an annular collector lying in said space between saidfirst-named tube and said second tube, said collector being mounted uponthe end of said second-named cable and electrically connected with theconductor thereof, a plug in said second tube, spring pressed wiperscarried by said plug and engaging said crown and said central contactmember respectively, a plug in said space between said first-named tubeand said second tube, a spring pressed wiper carried by saidsecond-named plug, and corresponding cables respectively entering saidsecond tube and said space between said first-named tube and said secondtube and having their conductors electrically connected with said wipersrespectively.

9. In X-ray apparatus, a tubular member, a cover on one end thereof, ahousing carried by and swiveling on the other end of said tubularmember, an X-ray tube mounted in said housing, and flexible cablesleading loosely from the respective terminals of said X-ray tube to saidcover and held in openings therein, said cables passing out through saidopenings. 5 10. In X-ray apparatus, a metallic tubular member, ametallic cover on one .end thereof, a metallic housing carried by andswiveling on the other end of said tubular member, an X-ray tube mountedin said housing, and flexible cables leading loosely from the respectiveterminals of said X-ray tube to said cover and held in openings therein,said cables passing out through said openings and being sheathed inmetallic armors therebeyond. 11. In an X-ray apparatus, a metallichousing, an X-ray tube mounted within the housing, insulating tubeswithin and fixed to the housing and surrounding the ends of the X-raytube, a rheostat within and secured to one of the insulating tubes inproximity to the cathode end of the X-ray tube and connected in circuitwith the filament of said X-ray tube, and a metallic shield within saidinsulating tube and in proximity to the outer side of said rheostat.

OSCAR H. PIEPER.

